Joe Flacco’s future with the Cleveland Browns may have been written the moment he lost in the NFL playoffs.

It was always known Deshaun Watson would return to be the Browns’ starting quarterback. Flacco’s run on the team was more of a short-term fix. But still, the reality of the situation is startling. The return of Watson will undoubtedly push out Flacco, no matter what.

The Athletic’s Browns beat writer, Zac Jackson, also thinks so. And if the Browns let it happen, it’ll be a huge mistake.

“The Browns are bringing back much of their roster and almost all of their top players,” he writes. “Flacco is almost definitely moving on as Deshaun Watson is returning.”

If the Browns can bring back Flacco on a reasonable deal and have him be the backup quarterback, it would be a win for Cleveland.

The Browns’ general manager, Andrew Berry, hasn’t committed to bringing him back.

And earlier in the offseason, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t advocate for the return of Flacco either.

All signs are pointing to Flacco being out the door. But if the Browns let him walk, it will be a grave mistake.

Watson has yet to prove he can play a full season in a Browns uniform. If Cleveland opts for a different option at the backup quarterback slot, it is putting unfound faith in Watson being available most of the year – something he hasn’t done in his career in Cleveland yet.